AGENDA
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY SUBCOMMITTEE
Agoura Hills City Hall - City Manager's Conference Room 30001 Ladyface Court, Agoura Hills, California 91301
Tuesday, October 13, 2026
4:00 PM
Please silence all cell phones and other electronic devices during the meeting.
NOTE: The Subcommittee and City staff will be participating in this meeting in-person in the City Manager's Conference Room. Members of the public have the opportunity to participate in-person in the conference room.
For public participation on items listed on this Agenda, refer to "Public Comments" below.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (PUBLIC COMMENT)
Option A: To provide public comments in-person at the meeting Members of the public have an opportunity to attend the meeting in-person and speak or submit a written comment on any item listed on this Agenda. Public testimony is limited to three (3) minutes per speaker; a speaker’s time may not be transferred to another speaker. Written public comments submitted at the meeting are not read aloud by staff.
To request to speak in-person at the meeting. The Subcommittee will open the floor for public comment and any in-person attendee who raises their hand will have the opportunity to speak. Public testimony is limited to three (3) minutes per speaker; a speaker's time may no be transferred to another speaker.
Option B: To submit written public comments by e-mail (prior to the meeting) Members of the public have an opportunity to submit email correspondence on any item listed on the Agenda by sending an email to: [email protected]. All public correspondence received by 3:00 p.m. on the meeting date will be provided to the Subcommittee prior to the meeting. Public comments are not read into the record. Any public comments received after 3:00 p.m. on the meeting day will not be considered as part of the Subcommittee’s deliberations or entered into the official record, but will be provided to the Subcommittee the next day.
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
Mayor Jeremy Wolf
Councilmember Chris Anstead
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
PUBLIC COMMENTS
(This section is reserved for persons wishing to address items not listed on the Agenda that are under the subject matter jurisdiction of the City Council. Please refer to “Public Participation” above for full details on how to speak or submit written public comments under this category.)
DISCUSSION ITEMS
1. Discussion Regarding the Plant-Based Treaty, Proposed Sustainability Summit, and Restaurant Week Discussion Regarding the Plant-Based Treaty, Proposed Sustainability Summit, and Restaurant Week
SUBCOMMITTEE OR STAFF COMMENTS
ADJOURNMENT
Date Posted: October 9, 2026
REPORT TO ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY SUBCOMMITTEE
DATE: OCTOBER 13, 2026
TO: HONORABLE MEMBERS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL SUBCOMMITTEE FROM: RAMIRO ADEVA, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER
BY:
AMY BRINK, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY SERVICES
MARY HADDAD, COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
SUBJECT:
DISCUSSION REGARDING THE PLANT-BASED TREATY, PROPOSED SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT,
AND RESTAURANT WEEK
The City of Agoura Hills has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to environmental stewardship, sustainability, and responsible resource management. Through its Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) and ongoing environmental programs and initiatives, the City has established a framework for advancing sustainability and encouraging community participation. Community-driven initiatives that promote environmental education and sustainable practices can complement these priorities.
Over the past several months, City staff has participated in multiple discussions with representatives of the PlantBased Treaty regarding its mission and potential opportunities for collaboration. These conversations have also included proposed community initiatives, including a Sustainability Summit and Restaurant Week. While the purposes of these initiatives align with the City’s sustainability goals, their implementation may require staffing, facilities, promotional assistance, or financial resources. Staff is bringing the topics forward to introduce the organization, update the Subcommittee on discussions to date, and receive preliminary feedback.
The Plant-Based Treaty is an international initiative advocating for more sustainable food systems, with an emphasis on the environmental impacts of food production, climate protection, and public health. Its representatives have discussed potential local efforts involving public education, plant-based food options, and engagement with restaurants and other community partners.
Representatives have shared a draft proposal describing possible City endorsement and suggested actions.
However, the precise request and any associated City obligations have not yet been finalized. This item does not seek a recommendation at this time regarding endorsement, adoption of policies, or other formal commitments.
Staff will continue working with Plant-Based Treaty representatives to clarify their specific request and any implementation considerations, and anticipates returning to the Subcommittee at a future meeting with more details.
Additionally, Plant-Based Treaty representatives and local student organizers have proposed a Sustainability Summit focused on environmental education, community engagement, and practical sustainability solutions. The organizers conducted a similar event at the Calabasas Library in March 2026 and have expressed interest in holding an event in Agoura Hills. Their preferred schedule is a Sunday afternoon, potentially in November, with the event from approximately 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and additional time for setup and breakdown.
Organizers have requested use of a City facility, such as the Agoura Hills Recreation and Event Center, with applicable costs waived. City staff has suggested a weekday event during existing operating hours to reduce additional staffing and facility expenses. Organizers have continued to express a preference for a weekend to better accommodate students and other participants.
A weekend event would require City resources, including staff time and facility operations, and could create costs beyond ordinary operating arrangements. This is also among the busiest periods for the Community Services Department, which is supporting an extensive schedule of programs and events. Staff supports the educational purpose of the proposal, but must assess the actual staffing and fiscal impacts before making any commitment.
Waiving facility-related costs under these circumstances would depart from the City’s usual approach to comparable requests and raises questions regarding consistency and future expectations.
Staff seeks the Subcommittee’s preliminary thoughts on the level of City participation, the organizers’ request for waived fees, and whether further development should more appropriately occur through the City’s annual goals and budget process.
Lastly, Plant Based Treaty representatives have also discussed a "Restaurant Week" initiative intended to encourage local restaurants to offer and highlight plant-based menu options. Staff has discussed with the PlantBased Treaty representatives the possibility of incorporating it into the City’s broader economic development efforts to support and promote local businesses, particularly restaurants. Under this approach, Restaurant Week could be structured primarily as a coordinated marketing and promotional campaign highlighting participating establishments and their offerings, rather than as a separate City-produced event outside the already-approved work plan for staff.
This may provide an opportunity to advance sustainability objectives while supporting the local restaurant community. However, even a promotional initiative could require staff coordination, communications support, or fiscal resources, which may be challenging given existing commitments. The format, timing, business participation, responsibilities, and extent of City involvement remain to be determined. Staff will continue exploring these details and welcomes the Subcommittee’s initial feedback.
Both initiatives (Sustainability Summit and Restaurant Week) are at different stages of development. Potential City support could include staff coordination, facility use and operations, communications, and promotional activities.
The proposed Sustainability Summit presents the most immediate resource question because of its requested November timing, weekend preference, and request to waive facility charges.
While staff recognizes and appreciates the value of these community-driven environmental initiatives, the City’s support for their underlying objectives should be distinguished from its ability to provide operational or financial assistance. Any commitment of City resources must be evaluated in the context of existing Council priorities, available staffing, fiscal capacity, and established City processes.
New programs or events requiring City staffing or fiscal resources are generally considered through the Council’s annual goals and budget development processes, allowing competing priorities and available capacity to be evaluated together. Staff believes this framework is important for responsible resource allocation.
Following the Subcommittee discussion, staff intends to continue engaging Plant-Based Treaty representatives to identify their specific request; further assess feasible scheduling, facility options, staffing needs, and costs for the Sustainability Summit; and explore whether Restaurant Week could be integrated into existing economic development and local restaurant promotional efforts, including any staffing and fiscal implications. Staff will use the Subcommittee’s feedback to determine which options require further development and whether items should be brought back to the Subcommittee or incorporated into future Council goals and budget discussions.
FISCAL IMPACT
Implementation of any proposed initiatives may require additional City resources, particularly staff time and support beyond existing departmental work plans and operational commitments. Depending on the scope and level of City involvement, additional costs related to staffing, facility use, and other operational needs may also be incurred. Any such resource commitments would require further evaluation to determine their feasibility within existing staffing levels and budgetary allocations. Proposals requiring resources beyond those currently available may need to be considered through the City's established goals and budget development process.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Environmental Responsibility Subcommittee receive an introduction to the Plant-Based Treaty; discuss the proposed Sustainability Summit and Restaurant Week initiatives; and provide initial thoughts and feedback regarding potential City involvement and resource considerations.